the_o whole_a matter_n that_o i_o hope_v the_o reader_n will_v not_o be_v ill_o please_v to_o have_v a_o short_a abstract_n of_o they_o lay_v before_o he_o a_o abstract_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v for_o the_o divorce_n the_o law_n of_o marriage_n be_v original_o give_v by_o god_n testament_n to_o adam_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n with_o this_o declaration_n that_o man_n and_o wife_n be_v one_o flesh_n but_o be_v afterward_o corrupt_v by_o the_o incestuous_a commixture_n of_o those_o which_o be_v of_o kin_n in_o the_o near_a degree_n the_o primitive_a law_n be_v again_o revive_v by_o moses_n 20·_v and_o he_o give_v many_o rule_n and_o prohibition_n about_o the_o degree_n of_o kindred_n and_o affinity_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o new_a law_n and_o judiciary_n precept_n but_o as_o a_o restore_a of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n original_o give_v by_o god_n but_o then_o much_o corrupt_v 4.5.6.21_o for_o as_o the_o preface_n which_o be_v so_o oft_o repeat_v before_o these_o law_n i_o be_o the_o lord_n insinuate_v that_o they_o be_v conform_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n so_o the_o consequence_n of_o they_o show_v they_o be_v moral_a and_o natural_a 24.25_o for_o the_o breach_n of_o they_o be_v call_v wickedness_n and_o abomination_n and_o be_v say_v to_o defile_v the_o land_n and_o the_o violation_n of_o they_o be_v charge_v on_o the_o canaanite_n by_o which_o the_o land_n be_v pollute_v and_o for_o which_o it_o do_v vomit_v out_o the_o inhabitant_n from_o whence_o it_o must_v be_v conclude_v that_o these_o be_v not_o positive_a precept_n which_o do_v only_o bind_v the_o jew_n but_o be_v part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o mankind_n and_o nature_n otherwise_o those_o nation_n can_v contract_v no_o gild_n by_o their_o violate_v they_o among_o the_o forbid_a degree_n one_o be_v 16._o thou_o shall_v not_o discover_v the_o nakedness_n of_o thy_o brother_n wife_n it_o be_v thy_o brother_n nakedness_n and_o it_o be_v again_o repeat_v 20.21_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v take_v his_o brother_n wife_n it_o be_v a_o unclean_a thing_n he_o have_v uncover_v his_o brother_n nakedness_n they_o shall_v be_v childless_a these_o be_v clear_a and_o express_v law_n of_o god_n which_o therefore_o must_v needs_o oblige_v all_o person_n of_o what_o rank_n soever_o without_o exception_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n st._n john_n baptist_n say_v to_o herod_n 14.4_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o thou_o to_o take_v thy_o brother_n wife_n which_o show_v that_o these_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v still_o obligatory_a st._n paul_n also_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n condemn_v the_o incestuous_a person_n for_o have_v his_o father_n wife_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o degree_n forbid_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n â—_o and_o call_v it_o a_o fornication_n not_o so_o much_o as_o name_v among_o the_o gentile_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v infer_v that_o these_o forbid_a degree_n be_v exclude_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n since_o the_o gentile_n do_v not_o admit_v they_o st._n paul_n also_o call_v it_o by_o the_o common_a name_n of_o fornication_n within_o which_o according_a to_o that_o place_n all_o undue_a commixture_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n be_v include_v therefore_o those_o place_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o condemn_v fornication_n do_v also_o condemn_v marriage_n in_o forbid_a degree_n our_o saviour_n do_v also_o assert_v the_o foundation_n of_o affinity_n by_o say_v that_o man_n and_o wife_n be_v one_o flesh._n but_o in_o all_o controvert_v thing_n the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v take_v from_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n which_o no_o good_a catholic_n can_v deny_v and_o that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o decree_n of_o pope_n and_o council_n and_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n and_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n against_o which_o if_o any_o argue_v from_o their_o private_a understanding_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v the_o way_n of_o heresy_n and_o savour_v of_o lutheranism_n the_o first_o of_o the_o father_n who_o have_v occasion_n to_o write_v of_o this_o matter_n marcionâ—â—_n be_v tertullian_n who_o live_v within_o a_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n he_o in_o express_a word_n say_v that_o the_o law_n of_o not_o marry_v the_o brother_n wife_n do_v still_o oblige_v christian_n pope_n the_o first_o pope_n who_o decision_n be_v seek_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v gregory_n the_o great_a to_o who_o austin_n the_o apostle_n of_o england_n write_v for_o his_o resolution_n of_o some_o thing_n in_o which_o he_o desire_v direction_n and_o one_o of_o these_o be_v whether_o a_o man_n may_v marry_v his_o brother_n wife_n who_o in_o the_o language_n of_o that_o time_n be_v call_v his_o kinswoman_n the_o pope_n answer_v negative_o and_o prove_v it_o by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o therefore_o define_v that_o if_o any_o of_o the_o english_a nation_n who_o have_v marry_v within_o that_o degree_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n he_o must_v be_v admonish_v to_o abstain_v from_o his_o wife_n and_o to_o look_v on_o such_o a_o marriage_n as_o a_o most_o grievous_a sin_n from_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o that_o good_a pope_n do_v judge_v it_o a_o thing_n which_o by_o no_o mean_n can_v be_v dispense_v with_o otherwise_o he_o have_v not_o press_v it_o so_o much_o under_o such_o circumstance_n since_o in_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o a_o nation_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o insist_v too_o much_o upon_o it_o may_v have_v keep_v back_o many_o from_o receive_v the_o christian_a religion_n who_o be_v otherwise_o well_o incline_v to_o it_o episcopos_fw-la calixtus_n pitanâ—m_n zacarias_n and_o 2._o innocent_a the_o three_o have_v plain_o assert_v the_o obligation_n of_o these_o precept_n in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o last_o particular_o who_o treat_v about_o it_o with_o great_a vehemency_n so_o that_o the_o apostolic_a see_v have_v already_o judge_v the_o matter_n several_a provincial_a council_n have_v also_o declare_v the_o obligation_n of_o the_o precept_n about_o the_o degree_n of_o marriage_n in_o leviticus_n by_o the_o council_n at_o neocesarea_n if_o a_o woman_n have_v be_v marry_v to_o two_o brother_n she_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n till_o her_o death_n and_o thâ—_n man_n that_o marry_v his_o brother_n wife_n 5._o be_v to_o be_v anathematise_v which_o be_v also_o confirm_v in_o a_o council_n hold_v by_o pope_n gregory_n the_o second_o iâ—_n the_o council_n of_o agde_a 61._o where_o the_o degree_n that_o make_v a_o marriage_n incestuous_a be_v reckon_v this_o of_o marry_v the_o brother_n wife_n be_v one_o of_o they_o and_o there_o it_o be_v decree_v that_o all_o marriage_n within_o these_o degree_n be_v null_a and_o the_o party_n so_o contract_n be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o put_v among_o the_o catechuman_n till_o they_o separate_v themselves_o from_o one_o another_o and_o in_o the_o second_o council_n of_o toledo_n 5._o the_o authority_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a prohibition_n about_o the_o degree_n of_o marriage_n be_v acknowledge_v it_o be_v one_o of_o wickcliff_n error_n that_o the_o prohibition_n of_o marriage_n within_o such_o degree_n be_v without_o any_o foundation_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n for_o which_o and_o other_o point_n he_o be_v condemn_v first_o in_o a_o convocation_n at_o london_n then_o at_o oxford_n and_o last_o of_o all_o at_o the_o general_a council_n of_o constance_n these_o condemnation_n be_v confirm_v so_o formal_o have_v the_o church_n in_o many_o provincial_a council_n and_o in_o one_o that_o be_v general_n decide_v this_o matter_n next_o to_o these_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o greek_a church_n levit._n origen_n first_o have_v occasion_n to_o treat_v about_o it_o write_v on_o leviticus_n and_o mat._n chrysostome_n after_o he_o but_o most_o full_o st._n diodor._fw-la basil_n the_o great_a who_o do_v express_o assert_v the_o obligation_n of_o these_o precept_n the_o last_o particular_o refute_v at_o great_a length_n the_o opinion_n of_o some_o who_o think_v the_o marry_v two_o sister_n be_v not_o unlawful_a lay_v it_o down_o as_o a_o foundation_n that_o the_o law_n in_o leviticus_n about_o marriage_n be_v still_o in_o force_n hesychius_n also_o write_v upon_o leviticus_n 20._o prove_v that_o these_o prohibition_n be_v universal_o obligatory_a because_o both_o the_o egyptian_n and_o canaanite_n be_v tax_v for_o marry_v within_o these_o degree_n from_o whence_o he_o infer_v they_o be_v of_o moral_a and_o eternal_a obligation_n from_o the_o greek_a they_o go_v to_o the_o latin_a father_n and_o allege_v father_n as_o be_v already_o observe_v that_o tertullian_n hold_v the_o same_o opinion_n and_o with_o he_o agree_v the_o three_o great_a doctor_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n 66._o ambrose_n hâ—â—vidium_n jerom_n and_o
place_n cite_v from_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o for_o that_o of_o herod_n both_o josephus_n and_o eusebius_n witness_n that_o his_o brother_n philip_n be_v alive_a when_o he_o take_v his_o wife_n and_o so_o his_o sin_n be_v adultery_n and_o not_o incest_n we_o must_v also_o think_v that_o the_o incestous_a person_n in_o corinth_n take_v his_o father_n wife_n when_o he_o be_v yet_o live_v otherwise_o if_o he_o have_v be_v dead_a st._n paul_n can_v not_o say_v it_o be_v a_o fornication_n not_o name_v among_o the_o gentile_n for_o we_o not_o only_o find_v both_o among_o the_o persian_n and_o other_o nation_n the_o marriage_n of_o stepmother_n allow_a but_o even_o among_o the_o jew_n adonijah_n desire_v abisha_n in_o marriage_n who_o have_v be_v his_o father_n concubine_n from_o all_o which_o they_o conclude_v that_o the_o law_n about_o the_o degree_n of_o marriage_n be_v only_a judiciary_n precept_n and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o other_o obligation_n on_o christian_n to_o obey_v they_o than_o what_o flow_v from_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n with_o which_o the_o pope_n may_v dispense_v they_o also_o say_v that_o the_o law_n in_o leviticus_n of_o not_o take_v the_o brother_n wife_n must_v be_v understand_v of_o not_o take_v she_o while_o he_o be_v alive_a for_o after_o he_o be_v dead_a by_o another_o law_n a_o man_n may_v marry_v his_o brother_n wife_n they_o also_o plead_v that_o the_o pope_n power_n of_o dispense_v do_v reach_v further_o than_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n even_o to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n for_o he_o daily_o dispense_v with_o the_o break_v of_o oath_n and_o vow_n though_o that_o be_v express_o contrary_a to_o the_o second_o commandment_n and_o though_o the_o five_o command_n thou_o shall_v do_v no_o murder_n be_v against_o kill_v yet_o the_o pope_n dispense_v with_o the_o put_v thief_n to_o death_n and_o in_o some_o case_n where_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o commandment_n do_v not_o at_o all_o time_n hold_v he_o be_v the_o only_a judge_n according_a to_o summa_fw-la angelica_n they_o conclude_v the_o pope_n power_n of_o dispense_v be_v as_o necessary_a as_o his_o power_n of_o expound_v the_o scripture_n and_o since_o there_o be_v a_o question_n make_v concern_v the_o obligation_n of_o these_o levitical_a prohibition_n whether_o they_o be_v moral_a 1529._o and_o do_v oblige_v christian_n or_o not_o the_o pope_n must_v be_v the_o only_a judge_n there_o be_v also_o some_o late_a precedent_n find_v one_o of_o p._n martin_n who_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o man_n have_v marry_v his_o own_o sister_n who_o have_v live_v long_o with_o she_o upon_o a_o consultation_n with_o divine_n and_o lawyer_n confirm_v it_o to_o prevent_v the_o scandal_n which_o the_o dissolve_v of_o it_o will_v have_v give_v upon_o which_o st._n antonin_n of_o florence_n say_v that_o since_o the_o thing_n be_v dispense_v with_o it_o be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n and_o not_o to_o be_v condemn_v the_o pope_n have_v grant_v this_o dispensation_n upon_o a_o very_a weighty_a consideration_n to_o keep_v peace_n between_o two_o great_a crown_n it_o have_v now_o stand_v above_o twenty_o year_n it_o will_v therefore_o raise_v a_o high_a scandal_n to_o bring_v it_o under_o debate_n beside_o that_o it_o will_v do_v much_o hurt_n and_o bring_v the_o title_n to_o most_o crown_n into_o controversy_n but_o they_o conclude_v that_o whatever_o informality_n or_o nullity_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v in_o the_o bull_n or_o breves_fw-la the_o pope_n be_v the_o only_a competent_a judge_n of_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v too_o high_a a_o presumption_n for_o inferior_a prelate_n to_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o examine_v or_o discuss_v it_o ease_n but_o to_o these_o argument_n it_o be_v answer_v by_o the_o writer_n for_o the_o king_n cause_n that_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o see_v man_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v such_o enemy_n to_o all_o heretical_a novelty_n yet_o be_v guilty_a of_o that_o which_o catholic_n doctor_n hold_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o heresy_n which_o be_v the_o set_n up_o of_o private_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o reason_v from_o they_o against_o the_o doctrine_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v full_o make_v out_o that_o the_o father_n and_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v universal_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o levitical_a prohibition_n of_o the_o degree_n of_o marriage_n be_v moral_a and_o do_v oblige_v all_o christian_n against_o this_o authority_n cajetan_n be_v the_o first_o that_o presume_v to_o write_v oppose_v his_o private_a conceit_n to_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o which_o luther_n and_o his_o follower_n be_v so_o severe_o condemn_v may_v it_o not_o then_o be_v just_o say_v of_o such_o man_n that_o they_o plead_v much_o for_o tradition_n when_o it_o make_v for_o they_o but_o reject_v it_o when_o it_o be_v against_o they_o therefore_o all_o these_o exception_n be_v overthrow_v with_o this_o one_o maxim_n of_o catholic_n doctrine_n that_o they_o be_v novelty_n against_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n but_o if_o the_o force_n of_o they_o be_v also_o examine_v they_o will_v be_v find_v as_o weak_a as_o they_o be_v new_a that_o before_o the_o law_n these_o degree_n be_v not_o observe_v prove_v only_o that_o they_o be_v not_o evident_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o all_o man_n but_o as_o there_o be_v some_o moral_a precept_n which_o have_v that_o natural_a evidence_n in_o they_o that_o all_o man_n must_v discern_v it_o so_o there_o be_v other_o that_o be_v draw_v from_o public_a inconvenience_n and_o dishonesty_n which_o be_v also_o part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n these_o prohibition_n be_v not_o of_o the_o first_o but_o of_o the_o second_o sort_n since_o the_o immorality_n of_o they_o appear_v in_o this_o that_o the_o familiarity_n and_o freedom_n among_o near_a relation_n be_v such_o that_o if_o a_o horror_n be_v not_o strike_v in_o man_n at_o conjuncture_n in_o these_o degree_n family_n will_v be_v much_o defile_v this_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prohibition_n of_o marriage_n in_o these_o degree_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o strange_a if_o man_n do_v not_o apprehend_v it_o before_o god_n make_v a_o law_n concern_v it_o therefore_o all_o example_n before_o the_o law_n show_v only_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a as_o to_o be_v easy_o collect_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o for_o the_o story_n of_o judah_n and_o tamar_n there_o be_v so_o much_o wickedness_n in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o 1531._o that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o make_v a_o precedent_n out_o of_o any_o part_n of_o it_o as_o for_o the_o provision_n about_o marry_v the_o brother_n wiâ—e_n that_o only_o prove_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o law_n be_v not_o of_o its_o own_o nature_n immutable_a but_o may_v be_v dispense_v with_o by_o god_n in_o some_o case_n and_o all_o these_o moral_a law_n that_o be_v found_v on_o public_a conveniency_n and_o honesty_n be_v dispensable_a by_o god_n in_o some_o case_n but_o because_o moses_n do_v it_o by_o divine_a revelation_n it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o the_o pope_n can_v do_v it_o by_o his_o ordinary_a authority_n for_o that_o about_o herod_n it_o be_v not_o clear_a from_o josephus_n that_o philip_n be_v alive_a when_o herod_n marry_v his_o wife_n for_o all_o that_o josephus_n say_v be_v that_o she_o separate_v from_o her_o husband_n when_o he_o be_v yet_o alive_a and_o divorce_v herself_o from_o he_o but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o live_v still_o after_o she_o marry_v his_o brother_n and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o divorce_n marriage_n be_v at_o a_o end_n and_o break_v by_o it_o as_o much_o as_o if_o the_o party_n have_v be_v dead_a so_o that_o in_o that_o case_n she_o may_v have_v marry_v any_o other_o therefore_o herod_n sin_n in_o take_v she_o be_v from_o the_o relation_n of_o have_v be_v his_o brother_n wife_n and_o for_o the_o incestuous_a person_n in_o corinth_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o though_o some_o few_o instance_n of_o a_o king_n of_o syria_n and_o some_o other_o may_v be_v bring_v of_o son_n marry_v their_o stepmother_n yet_o these_o thing_n be_v general_o ill_o look_v on_o even_o where_o they_o be_v practise_v by_o some_o prince_n who_o make_v their_o pleasure_n their_o law_n nor_o can_v the_o law_n of_o leviticus_n be_v understand_v of_o not_o marry_v the_o brother_n wife_n when_o he_o be_v alive_a for_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o take_v any_o man_n wife_n from_o he_o live_v therefore_o that_o can_v be_v the_o meaning_n and_o all_o those_o prohibition_n of_o marriage_n in_o other_o degree_n exclude_v those_o marriage_n simple_o whether_o during_o the_o life_n or_o after_o the_o death_n of_o
they_o a_o few_o bishop_n in_o the_o northern_a and_o western_a part_n when_o afterward_o the_o patriarch_n of_o constantinople_n be_v declare_v by_o the_o emperor_n mauritius_n the_o universal_a bishop_n gregory_n the_o great_a do_v exclaim_v against_o the_o ambition_n of_o that_o title_n as_o be_v equal_a to_o the_o pride_n of_o lucifer_n and_o declare_v that_o he_o who_o assume_v it_o be_v the_o forerunner_n of_o antichrist_n say_v that_o none_o of_o his_o predecessor_n have_v ever_o claim_v such_o a_o power_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o observable_a since_o the_o english_a be_v convert_v by_o those_o who_o he_o send_v over_o so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o see_v when_o this_o church_n receive_v the_o faith_n from_o it_o but_o it_o do_v not_o continue_v long_o within_o those_o limit_n for_o boniface_n the_o three_o assume_v that_o title_n upon_o the_o grant_n of_o phâ—â—as_n and_o as_o that_o boniface_n get_v the_o spiritual_a sword_n put_v in_o his_o hand_n so_o the_o eight_o of_o that_o name_n pretend_v also_o to_o the_o temporal_a sword_n but_o they_o owe_v these_o power_n to_o the_o industry_n of_o those_o pope_n and_o not_o to_o any_o donation_n of_o christ_n the_o pope_n when_o they_o be_v consecrate_a promise_n to_o obey_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o eight_o first_o general_n council_n which_o if_o they_o observe_v they_o will_v receive_v no_o appeal_n nor_o pretend_v to_o any_o high_a jurisdiction_n than_o these_o give_v to_o they_o and_o the_o other_o patriarch_n equal_o as_o for_o the_o decree_n of_o latter_a council_n they_o be_v of_o less_o authority_n for_o those_o council_n consist_v of_o monk_n and_o friar_n in_o great_a part_n who_o exemption_n obtain_v from_o rome_n oblige_v they_o to_o support_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o court_n and_o those_o who_o sit_v in_o they_o know_v little_a of_o the_o scripture_n father_n or_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v only_o conversant_a in_o the_o dispute_n and_o learning_n of_o the_o school_n and_o for_o the_o florentine_a council_n the_o eastern_a church_n who_o send_v the_o greek_a bishop_n that_o sit_v there_o never_o receive_v their_o determination_n neither_o then_o nor_o at_o any_o time_n since_o many_o place_n be_v also_o bring_v out_o of_o the_o father_n to_o show_v that_o they_o do_v not_o look_v on_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n as_o superior_a to_o other_o bishop_n and_o that_o they_o understand_v not_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v afterward_o bring_v for_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n in_o that_o sense_n so_o that_o if_o tradition_n be_v the_o best_a expounder_n of_o scripture_n those_o latter_a gloss_n must_v give_v place_n to_o the_o more_o ancient_a but_o that_o passage_n of_o st._n jerome_n in_o which_o he_o equal_v the_o bishop_n of_o eugubium_n and_o constantinople_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v much_o make_v use_n of_o since_o he_o be_v a_o presbyter_n of_o rome_n and_o so_o likely_a to_o understand_v the_o dignity_n of_o his_o own_o church_n best_a there_o be_v many_o thing_n bring_v from_o the_o contest_v that_o other_o see_v have_v with_o rome_n to_o show_v that_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o that_o and_o other_o see_v be_v only_o found_v on_o the_o practice_n and_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n but_o not_o upon_o any_o divine_a warrant_n constantinople_n pretend_v to_o equal_a privilege_n ravenna_n milan_n and_o aquileia_n pretend_v to_o a_o patriarchal_a dignity_n and_o exemption_n some_o arch-bishop_n of_o canterbury_n contend_v that_o pope_n can_v do_v nothing_o against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n so_o laurence_n and_o dunstan_n robert_n groste_v bishop_n of_o lincoln_n assert_v the_o same_o and_o many_o pope_n confess_v it_o and_o to_o this_o day_n no_o constitution_n of_o the_o pope_n be_v bind_v in_o any_o church_n except_o it_o be_v receive_v by_o it_o and_o in_o the_o daily_a practice_n of_o the_o canon_n law_n the_o custom_n of_o church_n be_v plead_v against_o papal_a constitution_n which_o show_v their_o authority_n can_v be_v from_o god_n otherwise_o all_o must_v submit_v to_o their_o law_n and_o from_o the_o latter_a contest_v up_o and_o down_o europe_n about_o give_v investiture_n receive_v appeal_n admit_v of_o legate_n and_o papal_a constitution_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o papal_a authority_n be_v a_o tyranny_n which_o have_v be_v manage_v by_o cruel_a and_o fraudulent_a art_n but_o be_v never_o otherwise_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n than_o as_o a_o conquest_n to_o which_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o yield_v and_o this_o be_v more_o full_o make_v out_o in_o england_n from_o what_o pass_v in_o william_n the_o conqueror_n and_o henry_n the_o 2d_n time_n and_o by_o the_o statute_n of_o provisor_n in_o many_o king_n reign_n which_o be_v still_o renew_v till_o within_o a_o hundred_o year_n of_o the_o present_a time_n upon_o these_o ground_n they_o conclude_v that_o the_o pope_n power_n in_o england_n have_v no_o foundation_n neither_o in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n nor_o in_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o the_o land_n supremacy_n as_o for_o the_o king_n power_n over_o spiritual_a person_n and_o in_o spiritual_a cause_n they_o prove_v it_o from_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o find_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n intermedle_v in_o all_o matter_n ecclesiastical_a samuel_n though_o he_o have_v be_v judge_n yet_o acknowledge_v saul_n authority_n testament_n so_o also_o do_v abimelech_n the_o highpriest_n and_o appear_v before_o he_o when_o cite_v to_o answer_v upon_o a_o accusation_n and_o samuel_n 1_o sam._n 15.18_o say_v he_o be_v make_v the_o head_n of_o all_o the_o tribe_n aaron_n in_o that_o be_v a_o example_n to_o all_o the_o follow_a high-priest_n who_o submit_v to_o moses_n david_n make_v many_o law_n about_o sacred_a thing_n such_o as_o the_o order_n of_o the_o course_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o their_o worship_n and_o when_o he_o be_v die_v he_o declare_v to_o solomon_n how_o far_o his_o authority_n extend_v he_o tell_v he_o 1_o chron._n 28.21_o that_o the_o course_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o all_o the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v whole_o at_o his_o commandment_n pursuant_n to_o which_o solomon_n 2_o chron._n 8.14_o 15._o do_v appoint_v they_o their_o charge_n in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o both_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n depart_v not_o from_o his_o commandment_n in_o any_o matter_n and_o though_o he_o have_v turn_v out_o abiathar_n from_o the_o high-priesthood_n yet_o they_o make_v no_o opposition_n jehosophat_n hezekiah_n and_o josias_n make_v likewise_o law_n about_o eccledsiastical_a matter_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n christ_n himself_o be_v obedient_a 1533._o he_o pay_v tax_n he_o declare_v that_o he_o pretend_v to_o no_o earthly_a kingdom_n he_o charge_v the_o people_n to_o render_v to_o caesar_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v caesar_n new_a and_o his_o disciple_n not_o to_o affect_v temporal_a dominion_n as_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o nation_n do_v and_o though_o the_o magistrate_n be_v then_o heathen_n yet_o the_o apostle_n write_v to_o the_o church_n to_o obey_v magistrate_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o to_o pay_v tax_n they_o call_v the_o king_n supreme_a and_o say_v he_o be_v god_n minister_n to_o encourage_v they_o that_o do_v well_o and_o to_o punish_v the_o evil_a door_n which_o be_v say_v of_o all_o person_n without_o exception_n and_o every_o soul_n be_v charge_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n many_o passage_n be_v cite_v out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n to_o show_v that_o they_o think_v churchman_n be_v include_v in_o these_o place_n as_o well_o as_o other_o person_n so_o that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v for_o the_o king_n supremacy_n and_o by_o one_o place_n of_o scripture_n the_o king_n be_v call_v supreme_a by_o another_o he_o be_v call_v head_n and_o by_o a_o three_o every_o soul_n must_v be_v subject_a to_o he_o which_o lay_v together_o make_v up_o this_o conclusion_n that_o the_o king_n be_v the_o supreme_a head_n over_o all_o person_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o bishop_n in_o their_o council_n make_v rule_n for_o order_v their_o diocese_n which_o they_o only_o call_v canon_n or_o rule_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o compulsive_a authority_n but_o what_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o civil_a sanction_n after_o the_o emperor_n be_v christian_n they_o make_v many_o law_n about_o sacred_a thing_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o code_o church_n and_o when_o justinian_n digest_v the_o roman_a law_n he_o add_v many_o novel_a constitution_n about_o ecclesiastical_a person_n and_o cause_n the_o emperor_n call_v general_a council_n preside_v in_o they_o and_o confirm_v they_o and_o many_o letter_n be_v cite_v of_o pope_n to_o emperor_n to_o call_v council_n and_o of_o the_o council_n to_o they_o to_o confirm_v their_o decree_n the_o election_n of_o the_o pope_n themselves_o be_v
and_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o worship_n and_o doctrine_n be_v such_o that_o a_o very_a small_a proportion_n of_o common_a sense_n with_o but_o a_o overly_o look_v on_o the_o new_a testament_n discover_v they_o nor_o have_v they_o any_o other_o varnish_n to_o colour_v they_o by_o but_o the_o authority_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n but_o when_o some_o studious_a man_n begin_v to_o read_v the_o ancient_a father_n and_o council_n though_o there_o be_v then_o a_o great_a mixture_n of_o sophisticated_a stuff_n that_o go_v under_o the_o ancient_a name_n and_o be_v join_v to_o their_o true_a work_n which_o critic_n have_v since_o discover_v to_o be_v spurious_a they_o find_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o first_o five_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o which_o piety_n and_o learning_n prevail_v and_o the_o last_o ten_o age_n in_o which_o ignorance_n have_v bury_v all_o their_o former_a learning_n only_o a_o little_a misguide_a devotion_n be_v retain_v for_o six_o of_o these_o age_n and_o in_o the_o last_o four_o the_o restless_a ambition_n and_o usurpation_n of_o the_o pope_n be_v support_v by_o the_o seem_a holiness_n of_o the_o beg_a friar_n and_o the_o false_a counterfeit_n of_o learning_n which_o be_v among_o the_o canonist_n schoolman_n and_o casuist_n so_o that_o it_o be_v incredible_a to_o see_v how_o man_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o opposition_n the_o prince_n everywhere_o make_v to_o the_o progress_n of_o these_o repute_a new_a opinion_n and_o the_o great_a advantage_n by_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n both_o hold_v and_o draw_v many_o into_o their_o interest_n be_v general_o incline_v to_o these_o doctrine_n those_o of_o the_o clergy_n who_o at_o first_o preach_v they_o be_v of_o the_o beg_a order_n of_o friar_n who_o have_v few_o engagement_n on_o they_o from_o their_o interest_n be_v free_a to_o discover_v and_o follow_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o austere_a discipline_n they_o have_v be_v train_v under_o do_v prepare_v they_o to_o encounter_v those_o difficulty_n that_o lay_v in_o their_o way_n and_o the_o laity_n that_o have_v long_o look_v on_o their_o pastor_n with_o a_o evil_a eye_n do_v receive_v these_o opinion_n very_o easy_o which_o do_v both_o discover_v the_o imposture_n with_o which_o the_o world_n have_v be_v abuse_v and_o show_v a_o plain_a and_o simple_a way_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o put_v the_o scripture_n into_o their_o hand_n and_o such_o other_o instruction_n about_o religion_n as_o be_v sincere_a and_o genuine_a the_o clergy_n who_o at_o first_o despise_v these_o new_a preacher_n be_v at_o length_n much_o alarm_v when_o they_o see_v all_o people_n run_v after_o they_o and_o receive_v their_o doctrine_n as_o these_o thing_n do_v spread_v much_o in_o germany_n switzerland_n and_o the_o netherlands_o so_o their_o book_n come_v over_o into_o england_n where_o there_o be_v much_o matter_n already_o prepare_v to_o be_v wrought_v on_o not_o only_o by_o the_o prejudices_fw-la they_o have_v conceive_v against_o the_o corrupt_a clergy_n but_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o lollard_n which_o have_v be_v now_o in_o england_n since_o the_o day_n of_o wickliff_n for_o about_o 150_o year_n between_o which_o opinion_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o reformer_n there_o be_v great_a affinity_n and_o therefore_o to_o give_v the_o better_a vent_n to_o the_o book_n that_o come_v out_o of_o germany_n many_o of_o they_o be_v translate_v into_o the_o english-tongue_n and_o be_v very_o much_o read_v and_o applaud_v this_o quicken_v the_o proceed_n against_o the_o lollard_n and_o the_o enquiry_n become_v so_o severe_a that_o great_a number_n be_v bring_v into_o the_o toil_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o their_o commissary_n if_o a_o man_n have_v speak_v but_o a_o light_a word_n against_o any_o of_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n he_o be_v seize_v on_o by_o the_o bishop_n officer_n and_o if_o any_o teach_v their_o child_n the_o lord_n prayer_n the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o the_o apostle_n creed_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n that_o be_v crime_n enough_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o stake_n as_o it_o do_v six_o man_n and_o a_o woman_n at_o coventry_n in_o the_o passion-week_n 1519._o be_v the_o 4_o the_o of_o april_n longland_n fox_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n be_v very_o cruel_a to_o all_o that_o be_v suspect_v of_o heresy_n in_o his_o diocese_n several_a of_o they_o abjure_v and_o some_o be_v burn_v but_o all_o that_o do_v not_o produce_v what_o they_o design_v by_o it_o the_o clergy_n do_v not_o correct_v their_o own_o fault_n and_o their_o cruelty_n be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o evidence_n of_o gild_n and_o of_o a_o weak_a cause_n so_o that_o the_o method_n they_o take_v wrought_v only_o on_o people_n fear_n and_o make_v they_o more_o cautious_a and_o reserve_v but_o do_v not_o at_o all_o remove_v the_o cause_n nor_o work_n either_o on_o their_o reason_n or_o affection_n upon_o all_o this_o the_o king_n to_o get_v himself_o a_o name_n 1522._o and_o to_o have_v a_o last_a interest_n with_o the_o clergy_n think_v it_o not_o enough_o to_o assist_v they_o with_o his_o authority_n but_o will_v needs_o turn_v their_o champion_n and_o write_v against_o luther_n in_o defence_n of_o the_o seven_o sacrament_n this_o book_n be_v magnify_v by_o the_o clergy_n as_o the_o most_o learned_a work_n that_o ever_o the_o sun_n see_v and_o he_o be_v compare_v to_o king_n solomon_n and_o to_o all_o the_o christian_a emperor_n that_o have_v ever_o be_v and_o it_o be_v the_o chief_a subject_n of_o flattery_n for_o many_o year_n beside_o the_o glorious_a title_n of_o defender_n of_o the_o faith_n which_o the_o pope_n bestow_v on_o he_o for_o it_o and_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o consider_v the_o age_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o a_o king_n it_o do_v deserve_v some_o commendation_n but_o luther_n be_v not_o at_o all_o daunt_v at_o it_o but_o rather_o value_v himself_o upon_o it_o that_o so_o great_a a_o king_n have_v enter_v the_o list_n with_o he_o and_o answer_v his_o book_n and_o he_o reply_v not_o without_o a_o large_a mixture_n of_o acrimony_n for_o which_o he_o be_v general_o blame_v as_o forget_v that_o great_a respect_n that_o be_v due_a to_o the_o person_n of_o sovereign_a prince_n but_o all_o will_v not_o do_v these_o opinion_n still_o gain_v more_o footing_n and_o william_n tindal_n make_v a_o translation_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o english_a to_o which_o he_o add_v some_o short_a gloss_n exact_o this_o be_v print_v in_o antwerp_n and_o send_v over_o into_o england_n in_o the_o year_n 1526._o against_o which_o there_o be_v a_o prohibition_n publish_v by_o every_o bishop_n in_o his_o diocese_n bear_v that_o some_o of_o luther_n follower_n have_v erroneous_o translate_v the_o new_a testament_n and_o have_v corrupt_v the_o word_n of_o god_n both_o by_o a_o false_a translation_n and_o by_o heretical_a gloss_n therefore_o they_o require_v all_o incumbent_n to_o charge_v all_o within_o their_o parish_n that_o have_v any_o of_o these_o to_o bring_v they_o in_o to_o the_o vicar-general_n within_o 30_o day_n after_o that_o premonition_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n and_o incur_v the_o suspicion_n of_o heresy_n there_o be_v also_o many_o other_o book_n prohibit_v at_o that_o time_n most_o of_o they_o write_v by_o tindal_n and_o sir_n thomas_n more_o who_o be_v a_o man_n celebrate_v for_o virtue_n and_o learning_n 6_o undertake_v the_o answer_v of_o some_o of_o those_o but_o before_o he_o go_v about_o it_o he_o will_v needs_o have_v the_o bishop_n licence_n for_o keep_v and_o read_v they_o he_o write_v according_a to_o the_o way_n of_o the_o age_n with_o much_o bitterness_n and_o though_o he_o have_v be_v no_o friend_n to_o the_o monk_n and_o a_o great_a declaimer_n against_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o have_v be_v ill_o use_v by_o the_o cardinal_n yet_o he_o be_v one_o of_o the_o bitter_a enemy_n of_o the_o new_a preacher_n not_o without_o great_a cruelty_n when_o he_o come_v into_o power_n though_o he_o be_v otherwise_o a_o very_a good-natured_a man_n so_o violent_o do_v the_o roman_a clergy_n hurry_v all_o their_o friend_n into_o those_o excess_n of_o fire_n and_o sword_n when_o the_o party_n become_v so_o considerable_a that_o it_o be_v know_v there_o be_v society_n of_o they_o not_o only_o in_o london_n but_o in_o both_o the_o university_n than_o the_o cardinal_n be_v constrain_v to_o act_v his_o contempt_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v look_v on_o as_o that_o which_o give_v encouragement_n to_o the_o heretic_n when_o report_n be_v bring_v to_o court_n of_o a_o company_n that_o be_v in_o cambridge_n bilney_n latimer_n and_o other_o that_o read_v and_o propagate_v luther_n book_n and_o opinion_n some_o bishop_n move_v in_o the_o year_n 1523._o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o visitation_n appoint_v
letter_n in_o defence_n of_o the_o king_n proceed_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o reginald_n soon_o after_o cardinal_n pool_n from_o these_o write_n and_o the_o sermon_n preach_v by_o some_o bishop_n at_o this_o time_n with_o other_o authentic_a piece_n i_o have_v extract_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o argument_n upon_o which_o they_o ground_v their_o law_n which_o i_o shall_v divide_v in_o two_o head_n the_o one_o of_o the_o reason_n for_o reject_v the_o pope_n pretend_a power_n the_o other_o for_o set_v up_o the_o king_n supremacy_n with_o the_o explanation_n and_o limitation_n of_o it_o first_o of_o the_o pope_n power_n reject_v they_o declare_v that_o they_o find_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o in_o the_o scripture_n all_o the_o apostle_n be_v make_v equal_a by_o christ_n when_o he_o commit_v the_o church_n to_o their_o care_n in_o common_a and_o he_o do_v often_o declare_v there_o be_v no_o superiority_n of_o one_o above_o another_o st._n paul_n claim_v a_o equality_n with_o the_o chief_a apostle_n both_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n and_o when_o he_o think_v st._n peter_n blame-worthy_a he_o withstand_v he_o to_o his_o face_n but_o whatsoever_o pre-eminence_n st._n peter_n may_v have_v that_o be_v only_o personal_a and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o affix_v it_o to_o his_o chair_n at_o rome_n more_o than_o at_o antioch_n but_o if_o any_o see_v be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o another_o it_o shall_v be_v jerusalem_n where_o christ_n die_v and_o out_o of_o which_o the_o faith_n be_v propagate_v over_o all_o nation_n christ_n command_v his_o disciple_n to_o begin_v their_o preach_v in_o it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v true_o the_o mother_n church_n and_o be_v so_o call_v by_o st._n paul_n whereas_o in_o the_o scripture_n rome_n be_v call_v babylon_n according_a to_o tertullian_n and_o st._n jerome_n for_o the_o place_n bring_v from_o scripture_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o papacy_n they_o judge_v that_o they_o do_v not_o prove_v any_o thing_n for_o it_o that_o thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n if_o it_o prove_v any_o thing_n in_o this_o matter_n will_v prove_v too_o much_o even_o that_o the_o church_n be_v found_v on_o st._n peter_n as_o he_o be_v a_o private_a person_n and_o so_o on_o the_o pope_n in_o their_o personal_a capacity_n but_o both_o st._n ambrose_n st._n jerome_n and_o st._n austin_n think_v that_o by_o the_o rock_n the_o confession_n he_o have_v make_v be_v only_o to_o be_v mean_v other_o of_o the_o father_n thought_n by_o the_o rock_n christ_n himself_o be_v mean_v who_o be_v the_o only_a true_a foundation_n of_o the_o church_n though_o in_o another_o sense_n all_o the_o apostle_n be_v also_o call_v foundation_n by_o st._n paul_n that_o tell_v the_o church_n be_v think_v by_o gerson_n and_o aeneas_n silvius_n afterward_o pope_n pius_n the_o second_o rather_o to_o make_v against_o the_o pope_n and_o for_o a_o general_n council_n and_o the_o father_n have_v general_o follow_v st._n chrysostome_n and_o st._n austin_n 1533._o who_o think_v that_o the_o giving_z of_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o charge_n feed_v my_o sheep_n be_v address_v to_o st._n peter_n in_o behalf_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o i_o have_v pray_v for_o thou_o that_o thy_o faith_n sail_v not_o be_v only_o personal_a and_o relate_v to_o his_o fall_n which_o be_v then_o imminent_a it_o be_v also_o clear_a by_o st._n paul_n that_o every_o apostle_n have_v his_o peculiar_a province_n beyond_o which_o he_o be_v not_o to_o stretch_v himself_o and_o st._n peter_n province_n be_v the_o circumcision_n and_o he_o the_o uncircumcision_n in_o which_o he_o plain_o declare_v his_o equality_n with_o he_o this_o be_v also_o clear_a from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n st._n cyprian_n be_v against_o appeal_n to_o rome_n and_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o p._n stephen_n definition_n in_o the_o point_n of_o rebaptising_a of_o heretic_n and_o express_o say_v that_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v equal_a in_o power_n and_o that_o all_o the_o bishop_n be_v also_o equal_a since_o the_o whole_a office_n and_o episcopate_n be_v one_o entire_a thing_n of_o which_o every_o bishop_n have_v a_o complete_a and_o equal_a share_n and_o though_o some_o place_n be_v bring_v out_o of_o he_o concern_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o of_o other_o church_n with_o it_o yet_o those_o place_n have_v no_o relation_n to_o any_o authority_n that_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v over_o other_o church_n but_o be_v occasion_v by_o a_o schism_n that_o novatian_n have_v make_v there_o at_o rome_n be_v elect_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o bishop_n that_o be_v right_o choose_v and_o of_o that_o unity_n only_o st._n cyprian_n write_v in_o those_o place_n but_o from_o all_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n it_o be_v visible_a he_o look_v on_o himself_o as_o their_o equal_a since_o he_o call_v they_o brother_n colleague_n and_o fellow-bishop_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v say_v by_o any_o ancient_a writer_n of_o st._n peter_n chair_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o pure_a gospel_n which_o he_o deliver_v as_o st._n austin_n observe_v that_o by_o moses_n chair_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v the_o deliver_n of_o moses_n law_n but_o though_o st._n peter_n sit_v there_o the_o succeed_a pope_n have_v no_o more_o right_a to_o pretend_v to_o such_o authority_n than_o the_o king_n of_o spain_n to_o claim_v the_o roman_a empire_n because_o he_o that_o be_v now_o their_o king_n be_v emperor_n when_o constantine_n turn_v christian_n the_o dignity_n of_o the_o chief_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n make_v rome_n to_o be_v account_v the_o first_o see_v but_o by_o the_o general_n council_n of_o nice_a it_o be_v declare_v that_o the_o patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n and_o antioch_n have_v the_o same_o authority_n over_o the_o country_n round_a about_o they_o that_o he_o of_o rome_n have_v over_o those_o that_o lay_v about_o that_o city_n it_o be_v true_a at_o thaâ—_n time_n the_o arrian_n heresy_n have_v spread_v general_o over_o the_o eastern_a church_n from_o which_o the_o western_a be_v free_a the_o oppress_a catholic_n bishop_n of_o the_o east_n make_v appeal_n to_o rome_n and_o extol_v that_o see_v by_o a_o natural_a maxim_n in_o all_o man_n who_o magnify_v that_o from_o which_o they_o have_v protection_n but_o the_o second_o general_a council_n take_v care_n that_o that_o shall_v not_o grow_v a_o precedent_n for_o they_o decree_v that_o every_o province_n shall_v be_v govern_v by_o its_o own_o synod_n and_o that_o bishop_n when_o they_o be_v accuse_v must_v first_o be_v judge_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o their_o own_o province_n and_o from_o they_o they_o may_v appeal_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n but_o no_o high_a appeal_n be_v allow_v and_o by_o that_o council_n it_o appear_v what_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n for_o when_o constantinople_n be_v make_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o new_a rome_n it_o have_v the_o same_o privilege_n that_o old_a rome_n have_v and_o be_v set_v next_o to_o it_o in_o order_n and_o dignity_n 1534._o in_o a_o council_n at_o milevi_n in_o which_o st._n austin_n sit_v they_o appoint_v that_o every_o clerk_n that_o shall_v appeal_v to_o any_o bishop_n beyond_o the_o sea_n shall_v be_v excommunicate_v and_o when_o faustianus_fw-la be_v send_v by_o the_o pope_n to_o the_o african_a church_n to_o claim_v the_o right_n of_o receive_v appeal_n and_o pretend_v a_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a for_o it_o the_o pretention_n be_v reject_v by_o the_o african_a father_n who_o acknowledge_v no_o such_o right_a and_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o that_o canon_n upon_o which_o they_o send_v to_o the_o eastern_a church_n and_o search_n be_v everywhere_o make_v for_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o that_o council_n but_o it_o be_v find_v that_o it_o be_v a_o forgery_n from_o whence_o two_o thing_n be_v observable_a the_o one_o that_o the_o church_n in_o that_o age_n have_v no_o tradition_n of_o any_o divine_a institution_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o see_v since_o as_o the_o pope_n who_o claim_v it_o never_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n so_o the_o african_a bishop_n by_o their_o reject_v that_o power_n show_v that_o they_o know_v nothing_o of_o any_o divine_a warrant_n all_o the_o contest_v be_v only_o about_o a_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n it_o also_o appear_v how_o early_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n aspire_v to_o power_n and_o do_v not_o stick_v at_o make_v use_n of_o forge_v write_n to_o support_v it_o but_o pope_n agatho_n more_o modest_o write_v to_o the_o emperor_n in_o his_o own_o name_n and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o synod_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o his_o see_n call_v